Sammy is 2 and Steve is 42!

On March 24th, Sam turned two. He seems much wiser than two. Perhaps there is an old soul behind those big blue eyes. He is very much a mover and a shaker and doesn't sit still for long. His personality is beginning to mold at this interesting age, and I do believe he is the child that during his lifetime will be able to get away with about anything. Again, did I mention his crystal blue eyes and long lashes?! They are trouble with a capital T. Check back in 20 years, and we will see if I am right.

To celebrate, we had a special evening with the five of us which included Sam and Daddy's favorites - homemade pizza and ice cream cake. With hockey and FOSPA coming to an end, we are planning a family party at a later date. (Now later yet, as I believe Owen has chicken pox.)

Well, Happy Birthday to our littlest man and the boss, Big Daddy - AKA The Birthday Boy as Owen labeled Steve. This was absolutely knock your knee funny when Owen came out with this statement to his 42 year old father! Steve's day was made special by homemade cards, kisses, hugs, and lots of laughs from these funny boys of ours.

A Tribute to a Loved One

This post is dedicated to my cousin Laurie, who passed away last week. She was a faithful reader of our blog who always wanted to know more, more, more of what was going on up here in our neck of the woods. If I didn't write for awhile, she was the first to notice. Growing up, she was older than me, but a cousin whom I always looked up to. Her intelligence carried her far in life. She had a wonderful job at which she was able to retire at a young age and pursue her dream to move south with her family. She was one that always had a witty comment, and truly seemed to enjoy life. Laurie kept the Simmons/Petrie family connected. She will truly be missed.

Thank you, Laurie, for being part of our lives from afar, and for being you. You will never be forgotten.

Laurie A. Jones Williams

March 10, 2010

ADAMS CENTER, N.Y. — Laurie Anne Jones Williams, 48, formerly of Adams Center, passed away Monday morning, March 8, at her home in Clayton, NC.

A private family service was held in North Carolina.

Born Jan. 15, 1962, in Watertown, the daughter of David R. and Alma "Midge" Simmons Jones, she graduated in 1980 from South Jefferson Central School, Adams, N.Y.

Laurie was employed for many years with the NYS DOT in Syracuse, N.Y., before moving to North Carolina in 2005.

She married Randolph L. Williams on Dec. 31, 1981, in Lowville, N.Y.

Surviving are her husband Randy, Clayton, NC; her mother Alma S. (Midge) Jones, Clayton, N.C.; a sister, Lisa Jones Kerber and her husband Thomas, and their children, Nicholas and Matthew Kerber, Adams Center, N.Y.; a brother Dave Jones, Garner, N.C.; her paternal grandmother, Sylvia R. Oatman, Adams, N.Y.; her husband’s parents, Harvey and Carol Williams, Adams Center, N.Y.; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Laurie was predeceased by her father, David R. Jones, Sr.

Arrangements are being made through McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton, N.C.

Condolences may be made to the family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com

A memorial service in New York State will be held at a later date.

Donations can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for the Cure, Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

Owen is 5!!

Owen Judson Newton. Welcomed into the world on 02/08/05.

Five years old. Wow.

For Owen's big day, he had a tournament at the War Memorial. We had a fun day, complete with watching the Crunch play and winning 5-0...Owen said they scored 5 goals for his 5th birthday.

It was a fun day all about him.

Feeling WICKED?!

I was able to partake in some culture. And, oh, was it ever. A show, some downtown flair, some high-end cocktails, oh joy! It did a body good.

If you have ever thought about going to see Wicked, but haven't taken the time to do so, oh please, do it for yourself! It is the best show! I was surrounded by a great bunch of ladies (I don't say that just because they are family), and we had a "wicked" great evening. Leaving you with some feelers...

Sir Isaac Newton III

This is a post that I have been attempting to write for a few days. A post that I needed to put in writing for that some day. Some day when I can look back at this date, and think, wow, we had a lot of time. Some day when the unthinkable happens. When we might be faced with a decision. A decision that no one ever wants to make. A decision to end a life. A life that is like no other. A life that we chose to be part of our family. A being that we looked at and said "Yup, he's the one, he will be our son".

Today, I can't even imagine for Isaac not to be part of our picture.

Isaac had surgery this week and was diagnosed with a rare Nerve Sheath Tumor. Fortunately, the vet was able to excise enough surrounding tissue to prevent I-Z from having any further treatment. Luckily, for now, we did not have to make any of the hard decisions that we could be faced with for this type of cancer. We watch him closely now for any changes. We are told that it is very likely that it will grow back.

What does this all mean? Information was shared before they took him to surgery about new springer pups in our area. The mother and the father are known by our vet and she wanted us to know that now might be a good time to have Isaac help us train a puppy. What?! What am I supposed to do with this information? It is stuck in my throat right now and won't come out. I can't say this out loud without emotion. She was talking about getting ready for some day.

For now I can't think about this. For now, I have to believe that we have many more years with Isaac. We just have to. It isn't time yet.

Our New Nephew

Meet Molson Elliott.

This little guy was welcomed into the Elliott Household during the month of January. We are smitten, including I-Z. He sure is handsome! And, boy does Sam relish him (Aunt Lori, too)! We love that Big "E" is able to experience this special bond between a boy and his dog. We look forward to future play dates with all of the boys...frogs and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails!

Reading with Big Brother

A few special minutes shared between brothers. Noah and Sam are almost a decade apart, but the love of books certainly brings them together.

Moments such as these make a mom proud!